What if one bad test day didn't define your future?

On this episode of Caddo Convos, Abhi Vishnu of Lone Star Scholars breaks down why U.S. college admissions is a holistic process—and why families need to understand far more than rankings and test scores.

From early high school planning to aligning a student's aptitude with their ambitions, Abhi shares how personalized, face-to-face counseling helps students not just get into college—but find the right environment to thrive for years to come.

If you're a parent in Collin County navigating the complex admissions landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Contact: https://www.lonestarscholars.com/

Top 5 Takeaways

• College admissions is holistic—not just test scores. GPA, course rigor, standardized tests, essays, extracurriculars, and character all matter.

• Start early—8th or 9th grade is ideal. The earlier students begin planning, the stronger and more intentional their academic journey becomes.

• Counseling first, tutoring second. Lone Star Scholars focuses on deeply understanding the student's strengths, values, aptitude, and long-term goals.

• Fit > Rankings. A top-ranked school isn't always the right school. Environment, culture, geography, and personality alignment determine where students will truly thrive.

• Stop taking college advice from Instagram. Admissions strategy requires personalized guidance—not viral shortcuts.

Podcast Sponsors:

Podcast Production provided by Blue Mic Studios, the podcast production arm of Visual Learning Solutions, LLC

Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios located in Caddo Office Reimagined:

https://www.bluemicstudios.com/

https://caddooffices.com/